Why are there 2 different encumbrance rules?

[PhilFleischmann]

I find the encumbrance rules to be mostly OK, but pehaps a little too lenient. I try to discourage characters from wearing heavy armor. They aren't soldiers who know exactly when they will be entering combat. They're adventurers who have no idea what lurks along the road ahead. I find it very unrealistic that a group of adventurers, while traveling for hours, are going to be wearing plate armor.

"But we have to wear our armor at all times, because a troll might attack us at any moment!"

So you're willing to pay END continuously and reduce your traveling speed? The faster you get to the next town, the safer you'll be.

Also wearing plate armor could be more dangerous in a fantasy wilderness setting due to the containment of body odor. Lots of predatory animals hunt by scent. If you're wearing plate armor all day long, you smell very strong to a hungry monster. Also, if you're hunting for food yourself, all the animals you might want to eat might be able to smell you (and run away) long before you see them.

[AnotherSkip]

and you wash whenever possible.

Old scouts maxium.

[Pattern Ghost]

Heh. One word: Horses. Second word: Mules. Third word: Wagons. Well, lots more words, really.

Seriously, hauling an plate armored fighter around or a chest of coins is the job of a mount or a beast of burden. Encumberance shouldn't come into play other than for shorter periods of time when the characters are spelunking, delving, or battling. The long distance treks should be done with animals. If the party can't afford horses, mules, or an ox cart, they certainly can't afford heavy armor or a decent sword, at least if you're using a quasi-medieval setting.

[Eclectic Wave]

Actually, after posting my ideas, the post regarding using just casual strength for determining encumbrance is what I'm going to use, it's much cleaner then my idea.

[AnotherSkip]

heh I once pointed out in Earthdawn that since it was cheaper to buy a cart than a horse an Obsidemen could just buy the cart and carry the entire group adventuring....